Scratch Stars Hall Of Famer reveals what it’s like to judge for the prestigious awards
Kayley Cairns, five-time Scratch Stars Award-winner, nail artist & educator, reveals what it’s like to judge for the esteemed competition, and shares advice for entrants. Kayley Cairns is no stranger to the Scratch Stars Awards. After taking home two awards for Mixed Media Artist of the Year and Nail Stylist…
Is it nail mould? Nail expert explores greenies
Award-winning nail stylist & educator, Katie Barnes, gets to grips with greenies… Lead image courtesy of Instagram.com/nailsavvyy, showing a new client’s nails presenting greenies. A problem that I have come across far too often in the industry is ‘mould’ on client’s nails – more commonly known as ‘greenies’. But what…
Scratch Stars Educator of the Year 2025 shares secrets to nail industry success
Michelle Brookes is an award-winning nail technician & educator who won Scratch Stars Educator of the Year for the second time in July. She tells Scratch what makes a good educator, how her processes have evolved and what’s next for her career… “Winning the Scratch Stars Educator of the Year…
How to beat feelings of overwhelm as a beauty business owner
Scratch columnist & beauty business and mindset coach, Zaara King, shares wellbeing advice… Hey beauty pros! At this point of the year, I wonder: have you had a ‘wobble’? I’m guilty of letting things get on top of me during the summer months because my children are home from school, the business…
Master ‘nailfies’ as a nail tech with these expert photography tips
Check out this guide for nail pros who want to capture high-quality nail photos. First impressions matter. Blurry, dark or low-resolution photos can make it difficult for people to properly appreciate your nail creations, which could impact whether they decide to book an appointment. So, it’s crucial that your marketing…
What is the nail matrix?
If you’ve ever heard the term ‘nail matrix’ and pictured Keanu Reeves in black sunglasses and a trench coat, it may be time to brush up your knowledge of this important part of the nail… Have you played on a coin pusher at an arcade? The game where a platform…
7 tips for working with nail embellishments
Adorning nails with 3D embellishments adds dimension to designs, allowing you to transform plain styles into striking looks. 7 nail stylists offer adhesion and application advice… Lead nail tips by Scarlett Senter (@scarlett_senternailartist). 1. “Practice wearing embellished designs on your own nails, as this will help you to learn a…
Nail pros, here’s why opening your Christmas diary too early can cost you
Nail business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares lessons learned from Christmas diary chaos… Every year, as the summer sun is still shining, clients start asking the same thing: ‘When are you opening your Christmas diary?‘ For years, I used to cave at the pressure of releasing appointments, thinking I was clever.…
Left-handed nail tech? Here’s how to adapt your tool kit
It is assumed that when working left-handed, you just work the opposite way. But if you are leftie, you will know this is a myth. The majority of the population is right-handed, and so the majority of nail products and techniques are tailored to right-handed techs. Having to adapt to…
The UK heatwave: Is it affecting your nail products?
Educator & award-winning nail pro, Katie Clark, reveals why hot weather may impact your nail products and services… Most techs will have noticed a difference in their L&P acrylic and gel systems during different temperatures and seasons, with changes being particularly noticeable during periods of very warm weather. Temperature and…
Onycholysis: what is it & how can it be treated?
Let’s talk the causes of onycholysis, aka nail separation, how to prevent and what to do when it’s presented at the nail desk… Picture this: you scrape your knee and pop a plaster over the top to help it heal. Three days later, that plaster has started to lift. At…
How to elevate your beauty business by seeing it through clients’ eyes
Session nail stylist, salon owner & educator, Marie-Louise Coster, discusses the importance of understanding clients’ perspective… When was the last time you walked through your business as if you were an existing or new client? We all need to walk through our businesses, whether physically or virtually, on a regular basis…
The nail hyponychium: what is it & why does it need protecting?
Not all heroes wear capes… but sometimes they deserve a little appreciation. Here are some key facts about the hyponychium – your underappreciated nail protector. Akin to how we fill the cracks in between shower tiles, the crevices of our nails also need sealing to protect the nail bed and…
Why confidence is key to your beauty business’ success & how to build it
Nail educator & business mentor, Hannah Clayton, shares the importance of confidence as a beauty pro… When beauty professionals come to me struggling with content, visibility or lack of bookings, it nearly always boils down to one thing: confidence. Confidence is the foundation for organic growth. It’s what allows you…
Nail expert: the importance of parallel sidewalls for a beautiful nail finish
Award-winning nail technician & Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education founder, Katie Clark, offers insight… Parallel sidewalls start at the cuticle zone and end at the free edge. They mirror each other and help to give a nail enhancement a slim and slender appearance. The term, ‘parallel sidewalls’, is frequently…
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